Weekly Connections
ClassesFor those in early stages of memory loss, lunch included.
Montecito:
Mondays
10am - 2pm
Call 969-0859
Goleta:
Thursdays
9:30 - 1:30
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Brain Fitness for Life Seminar
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Monthly Caregiver Support Groups
Montecito:
3rd Monday of the month, 2-3:30pm
Our New Veterans Support is held concurrently, 3rd Monday, 2-3:30pm in Montecito
Goleta:
1st Wednesday of the month, 10-11:30am.
Early Stage
Support Group:
2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month in Goleta
Family caregivers receive support and counseling, respite care available during meetings.
Please call in advance to arrange.
Montecito: 969-0859
Goleta: 845-7442
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Summer is Here!
Safe Travels with a Dementia Patient
By Luciana Mitzkun Cramer,
Friendship Center's Family Services Director
Dementia patients thrive in familiar environments and with a familiar routine. The more consistent the timing, frequency, and types of activities, the better they function and the better they feel. Adherence to routine creates a sense of safety, enhanced by the certainty of what is coming next. It avoids confusion. Families of patients in the earlier stages of the disease often notice the emerging need to follow routines, i.e., Dad only wants to go to the same restaurant and once there, he always orders the same dish.
Routine, however, gets interrupted when traveling. While exploring new places is exciting to most people, it can be stressful for the cognitively impaired. Consider how the changes related to travel can affect even the healthiest of people! Being away from familiar surroundings, eating and sleeping in unfamiliar places, adapting to time zone changes, facing disruptions in sleep pattern, having to speak and interact with strangers such as airport and hotel staff, and having to follow directions that may not be fully understood-all can be highly confusing for dementia patients. Confusion causes distress which can result in unusual, potentially catastrophic behavior.
People with dementia, however, can and do travel--some because they need to, others because it is fun. With appropriate support and preparedness, traveling with a person with dementia can be safe and enjoyable.
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Friendship Center Montecito's new Program Manager, Kimberlee Franken, is relieved to be back... on the Central Coast, that is. Born and bred Californians, she and her husband have recently returned to their native soil after thirteen years on the East Coast.
Kimberlee's first experience with Friendship Center was at a fundraising event. Impressed by heartfelt testimonials from family caregivers and the enthusiasm of other guests, she recalls thinking to herself, "I would like to work here."
Obtaining her RN degree from Santa Barbara City College nearly 30 years ago, Kimberlee earned her Master's in nursing in 2011. Her diverse career has included critical care, utilization review, case management, long term care, and teaching.
As an RN, she immediately felt drawn to working with elders. "The life experiences of each individual contribute to their unique abilities, interests, and needs," she said. "Making connections with individuals with dementia, while establishing trust, is an extremely rewarding process."
"As Program Manager," she continued. "I intend to promote socialization and peer interaction for the members in ways that will retain their dignity and enhance their lives."
Executive Director Heidi Holly is pleased to welcome Kimberlee.
"Her empathetic and caring nature, along with her nursing qualifications and comprehensive experience in dementia care, bring a strong new dimension to our team," she said. "In addition, her enthusiasm and positive outlook will enhance our activities program for participants while family caregivers receive much-needed relief."
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Happy 4th of July!
We honor our Veterans and are proud to have a contract with the VA, so daily fees are covered for eligible vets!
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